Cape Lookout Visitor's Center

• We visited on a Wednesday morning in late December 2023 with our kids.
• It was pouring rain and the roads were kind of flooded so be careful when driving with standing water. We had a minivan and didn’t have too many problems. Due to the low volume of people out we were driving in the center of the road for parts. Unfortunately the parking lot isn’t the closest thing to the visitor center so we got pretty wet trying to get inside.
• The rain and fog also stopped us from being able to see the light house. We did not opt to take the ferry over to the island to see it with the storm. There is a ticket booth outside the visitor center where you can purchase your tickets.
• Inside the visitor center to the right is the main desk with the NPS store. The store was a decent size with a bunch of merch. There was someone volunteering at the desk and someone running the store when we were there. We only saw one other group of people the hour or so we were there.
• The NPS Passport Cancellation Stamps are located right inside the door to your left.
• The kids got the Junior Ranger books which we were able to complete all inside the visitor center. They have multiple Junior Ranger book options here and additional patch if you complete enough of the tasks. See pictures from this review. The volunteer staffing the front desk was super helpful and very nice in answering questions about the park we didn’t know.
• If you go left all the way down the hallway you will pass the indoor bathrooms. There are also bathrooms outside in separate building adjacent to parking lot. Then at end of the hall is a theater you can watch a short film about the natural wildlife is history of the park.
• In the middle of the visitor center you can see all the exhibits and don’t miss the smaller backroom as well. It was pretty well done.
• We would definitely visit again as we didn’t get to go over to the island or see the lighthouse.

Great experience! Ferry ride over got to see horses birds and wildlife! Rented ATV on the island spectacular! Was able to get to several secluded spots with no one else like having you own beach!

Very helpful and knowledgeable staff on 11/2/22 4p. All things lighthouse in the store. Peaceful area. Passenger ferry here. Room for RV parking. Picnic tables by the water. Nice hiking trail.

Ferry to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse leaves every 30 minutes from the visitor center. The ferry can also drop you off at Shackleford Banks where wild horses roam. Be prepared to step into the shallow water since there is no dock. There are also no buildings, so be prepared for a primitive experience.

The ferry will return to take you to the island where you can visit the lighthouse. This island has a visitor center and restrooms.

You can spend the day on the beach, walk the boardwalk to the lighthouse and across the dunes to the ocean side.

There are vehicles that can also deliver you to the ocean side.

You do need to schedule your return trip when you buy your tickets.

Beautiful beach! Found lots of shells and sand dollars. Take the truck out to the point, it’s extra but worth it.

Very clean. Public restrooms and plenty of parking. Interesting displays about the horses and the geology of the shoals. There was also a temporary art exhibit by local school children of the lighthouse and seaside scenery that I enjoyed.Watch out for goose poop though..lol

Images included are a map, me getting on the island, and me at night before the storm. The weather can be hairy if you're staying the night but I had a BLAST. Bring bug spray with at least 30% deet, and thick poles if you're putting up a tent. Rain fly. The place is awesome, secluded, beautiful, and great for hiking. Wow. I took a ferry partnered with the visitors center and they were very accommodating. Yeah, great experience. Shoot me with questions.

Wonderful staff as we waited to board the ferry over to Cape Lookout.

A rate opportunity to ferry to an island, see a cool lighthouse, enjoy crystal clear water, and maybe see wild horses in the way. Gift shop and bathrooms on the island.

Friendly, professional ferry crew! Weather made us change plans.. ferry crew kept us safe!!

Beautiful island. Wonderful park staff!

Definitely recommended! Very, very helpful service, clean, and comfortable. The video on the area was educational with incredible photography. Two people, one inside the visitors' center and a crew member on the passenger ferry recommended the Core Sounds Museum nearby. What a great tip as well.

Super friendly and informative staff and rangers! Clean center with interesting information and nice store. Bathrooms are nice and clean.

A great place to visit. Off the beaten path but worth the drive. The day I visited, wind was howling 35 mph. Messed up my four hairs. Forgot hairspray. Cute Gift Shop and nice Visitors Center. Pleasant Ferry ride. A must see. Especially if you love Lighthouses. For Cousin Jane. !

There is a nice area for net fishing, especially by the docks. There also is a nice area for beach lounging that's not so secluded. Tour guides and most people on Cape Lookout gather there. You can see a beautiful view of the lookout and lighthouse from anywhere in this area especially by the docks. There are also boats that can take people to and from here as long as you aren't bringing a vehicle of some sort. Overall this spot is great if you want to be around more people and are not trying to be in a more secluded camp ground.

Our first trip to the Outer Banks and what a great introduction. The rangers and volunteers where very helpful and the ferry ride was great. The historical value of the cape lookout light house is worth the trip. There's nothing to do on the island but explore and learn. Take an empty bag if you are a shell collector. We want to go back in warmer weather and when the mega trucks can carry us down to the WWII village/site. It is unspoiled land.

Took my mom for mother's day! She's never been to the island. She had an absolute blast!

Beautiful place. Recommend visiting for a few hours

Really fun! Saw a ton of dolphins on the boat ride out there. The light-house is really cool and beaches are nice. Shells weren't as great as I had heard.

Beautiful beaches and shells!!